I dislike the whole idea that a male and female can't be extremely good friends without having a romantic relationship. They were absolutely above that. You gotta remember that they were 2 of the wisest and most powerful beings in Middle-earth, who also shared the powers and burdens of their rings of power. They shared a special but very platonic relationship I think. Relationships for Elves are vastly different than what we know. She was married and committed to Celeborn. Elves were as monogamous as they come and marry for love...marriage was a very sacred bond to them. The idea of Galadriel committing adultery is simply absurd to me. I do believe they had a very deep friendship though. Perhaps there could have been a romantic mutual interest but it wouldn't have escalated beyond that.

Well I don't know about the Istari specifically, I don't recall it ever being mentioned by Tolkien, but I don't see why they shouldn't; other Maiar had the freedom to be married and have children. The thing with the Istari though is that they were Maiar who were sent to Middle-earth for a very specific purpose: they were on a mission to help bring about the defeat of Sauron. Considering Gandalf was the only one of the five who saw this through to the end, and was even brought back from death once when he died prematurely, I think that any romantic relationship would have just been pointless, a hindrance, and completely uncharacteristic. Everything he did while in Middle-earth was for a purpose.

Joined: 04 November 2005Posts: 18932Location: In a pudle on Naboo with dragon kind and ents and Jedi and wolves living in the Last Homely House!
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I see. Well, I suspect if others could he could have as well. I do agree with the point, though, that it seems like a hindrance and out of character for Gandalf. I couldn't say for Galadriel as far as her character. It shows little of that in the movies.

Joined: 02 January 2007Posts: 2986Location: The Lakeshore of AnnúminasCountry:

Since The Unexpected Journey was on a free-to-air channel last night, I watched about ⅔'s of it. It was the first time I wayched this since I attended a premiere showing of it before it was released. I will give credit where credit is due, and say that Galadriel was much better portrayed by Cate Blanchett in this movie than in Fellowship. The essence of Galadriel was captured in all ways at the White Council, and the Council scenes were for the most part well done. I didn't like the fact they tuned out Sarumann though, for I don't think that would happen. He wasn't known to be corrupted at the time. Anything else can I say I liked ??? yeah, Martin Freeman as Bilbo did an amazing job! That is all the good I can really say about it.

_________________~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Dunedain Ranger of the NorthAnnalist, Physician, & Historianof The Black Company of the Dúnedain,The Free Company of Arnor

Joined: 04 November 2005Posts: 18932Location: In a pudle on Naboo with dragon kind and ents and Jedi and wolves living in the Last Homely House!
Gender: Male

Aredhel Ar-Feiniel wrote:

He being a devout Catholic, I just can't see Tolkien envisioning any of his characters committing any sort of infidelity, even if it's just in an emotional sense.

I would have to agree. However, working on the assumption that Middle earth has taken on a "Life of it's own" and grown outside of Tolkien's original ideals... I still can't see it from the characters themselves.

@Hanasian I must admit. I did like Galadriel's role in the hobbit films better than in the original trilogy.

Joined: 02 January 2007Posts: 2986Location: The Lakeshore of AnnúminasCountry:

Not being a big fan of PJ's fanfic of The White Council, I will give credit for making these scenes the best of the whole Hobbit movie franchise. I think it is a simple minded reach to try and make Gandalf and Galadriel appear romantically involved. but I'll give PJ credit here in not really making it like that, but trying to show a deep understanding between the two. It was ethereal, not physical.

I still think that Cate looked very 'Galadrielish' in these scemes, and they crapped on Saruman in these scenes, but it was already known by movie-only audiences that he would sell out the west in his power play that was shown in the earlier movies. Sadly, Elrond was somewhat marginalized in these scenes as well. It was a classic case of (in my opinion) PJ showing a sign if genius in his portrayal of things Middle Earth, only to snatch it away by some crappy screenplay writing. Oh well.... it is his signature.

_________________~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Dunedain Ranger of the NorthAnnalist, Physician, & Historianof The Black Company of the Dúnedain,The Free Company of Arnor

Joined: 25 September 2015Posts: 193Location: In front of Isengard with Merry, Pippin, and the Three Hunters, talking over recent adventures!Country:Gender: Female

The relationship and bond between Gandalf and Galadriel is, I think, mostly due to the fact that they are both ringbearers. There is a special thing that Ringbearers​ do where they can sense each other's thoughts and make conversation without speech. In the book we see this in Grey Havens when the 3 elf ringbearers are together and they sit under the stars talking telepathically and its really cool. In the movies it kind of shows it as well. Galadriel speaks into the minds of each member of the fellowship, but 2-way conversation only happens between ringbearers like with Frodo in the mirror of Galadriel scene. So that was the deal with the white council scene, in case anyone didn't know that.

There is also the fact mentioned earlier that they probably knew each other in Valinor. That would be fun to write fanfic about

They were also two very wise people in the midst of one of the hardest ages in the history of ME. There had to be a special bond between them since they we're basically trying to solve the world's problems together.

Hanasian, another thing to add to the very short list of good things about this movie is the music! Best part of any movie in my opinion and this was no exception. Also smaug was very pretty,and Benedict did an awesome job with the voice.

Joined: 05 March 2017Posts: 1609Location: I've been where Aragorn hasn't, but I now live in a cross between Hobbiton and Rivendell.Country:Gender: Male

I have vague memories of having at least started a comment here. I have clearer memories that it was quite likely a rant (though PJ would not be entirely to blame here, I have the feeling that some people have just read too many schmaltzy love stories.

If I started, for some reason I decided not to post. Probably too much of a rant ...

I'm not so sure Galadriel knew the Maia Olorin in the West, at least not necessarily in a significant way that is; and in the context of the First Age, given one possible history of the Elessar stone anyway. In her youth Nerwende Artanis was proud, selfwilled, and had dreams of lands and dominions that might be her own "to order as she would without tutelage". And the Maia who dwelt in Lorien often sought the house of Nienna, where he learned pity and patience.

And from my interpretation of the [admittedly brief] description in Valaquenta, Olorin often walked among the Elves unseen, or in form as one of them [another way of hiding among them in my opinion] "and they did not know whence came the fair visions or promptings of wisdom that he put into their hearts."

Of course, who can say for certain!

And granted, absence of evidence is obviously not the best argument, but to note some positive evidence anyway: Tolkien gives the young Galadriel a notable relationship with Melian -- at least after rebelling and crossing into Middle-earth -- and notes a friendship in Aman between the reincarnated Glorfindel and Olorin.

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